[Woodcarver] Apple wood

[Joe Dillett]

Hi David Woods, (I think every woodcarver would like a last name like Woods)

Apple wood is white, hard, very fine grain and is wonderful for mallet or 
power carving. It has a natural oil, thus the reason it was used for 
bearings and gears in those old clock-tower clocks. Because of its tight 
grain and natural oil it doesn't take a stain very well but it takes any 
clear finish well.

Because it is a dense wood it will tend to split more when it dries. When 
drying it helps to leave the bark on, seal the ends with varnish and wrap in 
about 4 layers of newspaper. Let dry one year for ever inch thickness. If 
you are thinking about using the limbs make sure the heart is close to the 
center of the log. If it is far off center (reaction wood) it is very 
unstable and will unpredictably crack, doesn't carve well and doesn't finish 
well.

Joe Dillett
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552

(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.net [business web site]
http://www.carvingmagazine.com ['Ask Joe' column]
http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Woods" <dmwoodssr at adelphia.net>
To: <woodcarver at carverscompanion.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:15 PM
Subject: [Woodcarver] Apple wood



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> Hi Y'all

>

>    With all the great expertise on this list, I 'm sure that several of 

> you will have good information on my inquiry. I have an apple tree in my 

> back yard that I need to remove. I am just wondering, is apple wood any 

> good for carving? Has anyone ever done a dough bowl with apple?

>

> Dave Woods

> Kentucky Drift

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